Author: News Desk

Argentina: According to the most recent consumer price index released by the government, inflation in Argentina has exceeded 100 percent for the first time since 1991. Argentina continues to experience one of its worst economic crises in decades, with annual inflation now standing at 102.5 percent, as per the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INDEC) report for February 2023. Food and drinks were the categories of products most impacted by inflation, which increased by 6.6 percent in February alone. The 9.8 percent increase in food prices was attributed by INDEC to the high cost of meat, dairy, and egg…

United States: FIFA, football’s world governing body, has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will have 104 matches instead of the typical 64 due to its expanded format. According to the reports, the tournament due to take place in North America will expand from 32 to 48 teams. It will consist of 12 groups of four teams each, a change from the original planned format of 16 groups of three. “The revised format mitigates the risk of collusion and ensures that all the teams play a minimum of three matches while providing balanced rest time between competing teams,” FIFA stated…

Afghanistan: The yearly polio immunisation campaign in Afghanistan has begun under the control of the Taliban, with the goal of reaching more than nine million children under the age of five, stated the health ministry. The last endemic polio countries are Afghanistan and its neighbour Pakistan. Polio is an incurable, highly contagious illness that can leave young children with terrible paralysis and even death. A decades-long vaccination campaign has practically eradicated polio worldwide. However, widespread vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan and some parts of Pakistan have been impeded by insecurity, inhospitable terrain, mass relocation, and suspicion of outside intervention. Once the…

Ukraine: According to Ukraine’s President Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the outcome of the conflict raging around Bakhmut and other significant cities and towns in the east of the country will determine the nation’s future. In a late-night video speech, Mr. Zelenskyy declared that the future of Ukraine depended on defeating Russian forces advancing on Bakhmut and other war-torn villages in the eastern Donetsk region of the country. “It is very tough in the east, very painful. We need to destroy the enemy’s military might, and we will,” Mr. Zelenskyy remarked. The Russian assault force is alleged to have thrown a sizable…

United Kingdom: A new study has found that a Mediterranean diet of nuts, seafood, whole grains, and vegetables could lower the risk of dementia by almost a quarter, paving the way for new preventive treatments. The research suggested that eating lots of plant-based foods may have a “protective effect” against dementia, regardless of a person’s genetic risk. The latest findings could form the basis for future public health strategies if further research confirms them. The findings are published in the journal BMC Medicine and are based on data from more than 60,000 individuals in the UK Biobank, an online database of…

United Kingdom: The United Kingdom has stated in an update to the country’s strategic foreign and defence policy that China represents an “epoch-defining challenge” to the world order, and the UK and Europe’s security are tied to Russia’s unsuccessful prosecution of its war on Ukraine. In an update to the Integrated Review (IR) policy paper, the UK noted the challenges posed by China and its deepening partnership with Russia, as well as Moscow’s growing cooperation with Iran. The 63-page report indicates the UK’s decision to position Beijing and Moscow as existential threats to the UK and Europe, as well as…

China: China announced that all types of visas will once again be issued, reopening its borders to international travellers for the first time in the three years following the COVID-19 pandemic. Following last month’s declaration of victory by authorities over a recent COVID-19 outbreak, this final cross-border control measure has been lifted. A $17 trillion economy that last year experienced one of its worst rates of growth in nearly 50 years should be revitalised by the boost to the tourism industry. Visa-free entrance will once again be available in parts of China that did not require them before the outbreak,…

Ukraine: Ukraine has stated that Russia’s proposal to extend the wartime grain export deal for 60 days goes against the agreement between the two countries. Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Mr. Oleksandr Kubrakov commented that a 60-day extension contradicts the documents signed by guarantors Turkey and the UN but did not reject the proposal. “The grain agreement involves at least 120 days of extension. Therefore, Russia’s position to extend the deal only for 60 days contradicts the document signed by Turkey and the UN,” Mr. Kubrakov posted on Twitter. “We’re waiting for the official position of the UN and Turkey as the…

United States: A new report has stated that the end of extreme poverty may finally be achieved by 2050, spurred by economic growth in low-income countries. According to a Centre for Global Development (CGD) report, though the COVID pandemic adversely affected efforts to eradicate extreme poverty and additional challenges will emerge, the damage may have a very limited impact on the overall trajectory of economic growth. “We know the world is going to look very different in 2050, and climate change is a huge concern for the future. But we can’t let it overshadow the fact that continued economic growth…

United States: The US government has announced that people and businesses who have money deposited with the failed US bank Sillicon Valley Bank (SVB) will be able to access their cash. A statement from the US Treasury, the Federal Reserve, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) promised that depositors would be fully protected. “The taxpayer will not bear any losses from the move,” the statement added. SVB was shut down by regulators, who recently seized its assets. It was the largest failure of a US bank since the financial crisis in 2008. The move came as the bank was…